Reducing energy consumption of a display

ABSTRACT

Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and computer program product for managing power consumption of a display. An illumination area of the display may be adjusted to limit or increase a number of activated light emitting devices, and thus, adjust power consumption of the display. A device may receive an input to adjust the first illumination area to the second illumination area. In response, a device may, for example, disable a portion of the first illumination area not included in the second illumination area. In another example, a device may enable a portion of the second illumination area not included in the first illumination area. An amount of operation time and/or energy storage may be calculated, based at least in part on a resize of an illumination area of the display.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to electronics,and more particularly to a structure and method of reducing energyconsumption of a display.

A display of a device, such as a smart phone, may typically useapproximately 30%-60% of the total power consumption. Sometimes adisplay may consume up to more than 80% of the total power consumptionif a user frequently leaves a display illuminated. Therefore, a screendisplay is critical to conserving power available from a mobile device'sbattery. Typically, a user can lower the brightness of the display inorder to use less battery power. Even though lowering a brightness of adisplay can extend the battery life of an electronic device, loweringthe brightness may not extend the battery life as long as a user desiresand may make reading difficult when a user is in a bright environment.Thus, a method to reduce energy consumption from a display withoutrequiring a reduction in brightness is needed.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a method of reducing energy consumption of adisplay. The method may include enabling a first illumination area of adisplay. The method may include receiving instructions for resizing thefirst illumination area to a second illumination area. Receiving theinput to adjust the first illumination area may include receiving aninput via a user input indicating a size of the second illumination areaon the display, receiving an input via a user input indicating alocation of the second illumination area on the display, receiving aninput from a computer application when energy storage drops below athreshold, or any combination thereof. The method may include adjustingthe first illumination area to a second illumination area on the displaybased on the instructions. The method may include performing one or moreof the following: disabling a portion of the first illumination area notincluded in the second illumination area, and enabling a portion of thesecond illumination area not included in the first illumination area.The method may include displaying an image on, the first illuminationarea on the display, the second illumination area on the display, or acombination thereof. The display may include a first set of one or morelight emitting diodes in the first illumination area and a second set ofone or more light emitting diodes in the second illumination area.Disabling a portion of the first illumination area not included in thesecond illumination area may include a first illumination control chipdisabling a first set of light emitting devices in at least the portionof the first illumination area not included in the second illuminationarea. The method may include scaling an image to fit the secondillumination area, wherein prior to the scaling, the image is sized tofit the first illumination area. The method may include calculating anamount of energy storage available for the electronic device based atleast in part on the disabled portion of the first illumination area,the enabled portion of the second illumination area, or a combinationthereof.

According to another embodiment, a computer program product for reducingenergy consumption of a display is provided. The computer programproduct may include a computer readable storage medium having programinstructions embodied therewith. The computer readable storage medium isnot a transitory signal per se. The program instructions may beexecutable by a processor to cause a computer to perform a method. Themethod may include enabling a first illumination area of the display. Acomputer may receive an input for adjusting the first illumination areato the second illumination area. Receiving the input to adjust the firstillumination area may include receiving an input via a user inputindicating a size of the second illumination area on the display,receiving an input via a user input indicating a location of the secondillumination area on the display, receiving an input from a computerapplication when energy storage drops below a threshold, or anycombination thereof. A computer may adjust the first illumination areato a second illumination area on the display based on the input. Thecomputer may perform one or more of the following: disable a portion ofthe first illumination area not included in the second illuminationarea, and enable a portion of the second illumination area not includedin the first illumination area. The computer may display an image on thefirst illumination area on the display, the second illumination area onthe display, or a combination thereof. The display may include a firstset of one or more light emitting diodes in the first illumination areaand a second set of one or more light emitting diodes in the secondillumination area. The display may include a first illumination controlchip controlling a first set of light emitting devices in at least aportion of the first illumination area and a second illumination controlchip controlling a second set of light emitting devices in at least aportion of the second illumination area.

According to another embodiment, a electronic device is provided. Thecomputing device may include a display configured to display a firstillumination area and a second illumination area. The electronic devicemay include one or more computer processors, one or morecomputer-readable storage media, and program instructions stored on thecomputer-readable storage media for execution by at least one of the oneor more processors. The program instructions may include instructions todisplay an image on a first illumination area of the display. Theprogram instructions may include instructions to receive an input forresizing the first illumination area. The instructions to receive theinput to adjust the first illumination area may include instructions toreceive an input via a user input indicating a size of the secondillumination area on the display, instructions to receive an input via auser input indicating a location of the second illumination area on thedisplay, instructions to receive an input from a computer applicationwhen energy storage drops below a threshold, or any combination thereof.The program instructions may include instructions to resize the firstillumination area to a second illumination area on the display based onthe instructions. The program instructions may include instructions toperform one of the following: disabling a portion of the firstillumination area not included in the second illumination area, orenabling a portion of the second illumination area not included in thefirst illumination area. The display may include a first set of lightemitting devices comprising one or more light emitting devices in atleast a portion of the first illumination area, a second set of lightemitting devices comprising one or more light emitting devices in atleast a portion of the second illumination area, a first illuminationcontrol chip controlling the first set of light emitting devices in atleast the portion of the first illumination area, and a secondillumination control chip controlling the second set of light emittingdevices in at least the portion of the second illumination area. Theprogram instructions may include instructions to scale an image to fitthe second illumination area, wherein prior to the scaling, the image issized to fit the first illumination area.

According to another embodiment, an electronic display device isprovided. The electronic display device may include a display element.The electronic display device may include a plurality of light emittingdevices configured to illuminate at least a portion of the displayelement. The plurality of light emitting devices may be controlled byone or more illumination control chips. The electronic display devicemay include a first illumination control chip controlling a first set ofthe plurality of light emitting devices within a first illumination areaof the display element. The electronic display device may include asecond illumination control chip controlling a second set of theplurality of light emitting devices within a second illumination area ofthe display element. The electronic display device may include one ormore computer processors, one or more computer-readable storage media,and program instructions stored on the computer-readable storage mediafor execution by at least one of the one or more processors. The programinstructions may include instructions to activate a first set of theplurality of light emitting devices, by at least one illuminationcontrol chip, to display an image on a first illumination area of thedisplay element. The program instructions may include instructions toreceive an input to adjust the first illumination area to a secondillumination area. Receiving the input to adjust the first illuminationarea may include receiving an input via a user input indicating a sizeof the second illumination area on the display, receiving an input via auser input indicating a location of the second illumination area on thedisplay, receiving an input from a computer application when energystorage drops below a threshold, or any combination thereof. The programinstructions may include instructions to perform one or more of:disabling, by at least one illumination control chip, light emittingdevices in the first set not within the second illumination area; andenabling, by at least one illumination control chip, light emittingdevices within the second illumination area. The plurality of lightemitting devices may include at least one light emitting diode,fluorescent lamp, or a combination thereof. The display element mayinclude the first set of the plurality of light emitting devicesconfigured to illuminate a first light guide plate and the second set ofthe plurality light emitting devices configured to illuminate a secondlight guide plate. The display element may include one or more lightguide plates in the first illumination area and one or more light guideplates in the second illumination area. The plurality of light emittingdevices may be an array of light emitting diodes, wherein each lightemitting diode represents a pixel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description, given by way of example and notintended to limit the invention solely thereto, will best be appreciatedin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which not allstructures may be shown.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating reducing energyconsumption of a display, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 2A-2C are energy consumption reduction environments, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of electrical components of a fractionalcharge pump, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-4B are illumination area control systems, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a displayadjustment application, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of components of a proxy server computerexecuting the energy conserving program, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merelyschematic representations, not intended to portray specific parametersof the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typicalembodiments of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering representslike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of structures and methods are disclosed herein;however, it can be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merelyillustrative of structures and methods that may be embodied in variousforms. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different formsand should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments setforth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so thatthis disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey thescope of this invention to those skilled in the art.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth,such as particular structures, components, materials, dimensions,processing steps, and techniques, in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, it will be appreciatedby one of ordinary skill of the art that the invention may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-knownstructures or processing steps have not been described in detail inorder to avoid obscuring the invention. It will be understood that whenan element as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on”or “over” another element, it can be directly on the other element orintervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an elementis referred to as being “directly on” or “directly” over anotherelement, there are no intervening elements present. It will also beunderstood that when an element is referred to as being “beneath,”“below,” or “under” another element, it can be directly beneath or underthe other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly beneath” or “directlyunder” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

In the interest of not obscuring the presentation of embodiments of thepresent invention, in the following detailed description, someprocessing steps or operations that are known in the art may have beencombined together for presentation and for illustration purposes and insome instances may have not been described in detail. In otherinstances, some processing steps or operations that are known in the artmay not be described at all. It should be understood that the followingdescription is rather focused on the distinctive features or elements ofvarious embodiments of the present invention.

Many mobile devices are battery powered and, therefore, may be limitedin an amount of energy stored in their batteries to operate. While otherprocessing circuitries within a mobile device may use some of thebattery power, a display for a mobile device may use a large portion ofpower when in operation. Other devices may have ample available power,such as plugged-in electronics, but may be consuming more energy thanpreferred by a user. Displays for mobile devices and other devices mayuse one or more technologies to generate an image. Some displays utilizenon-light emitting technologies, such as liquid-crystal displays (LCDs),in which the liquid crystals are arrayed in front of a backlight togenerate images on the display screen. A backlight may be a form ofillumination used in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) to produce a visibleimage. Backlights may illuminate LCD displays from a side or back of ascreen. A light guide plate (LGP) may be used in a backlight module. AnLGP may be designed to refract light emitted from pre-connected LEDs.One or more LEDs may be located at an edge of an LGP and light refractedfrom an LGP may have a uniform brightness. An LCD display may beilluminated by LEDs and LGPs. Other displays may utilize light emittingtechnologies such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) with pixels that emitlight on demand with semiconductor light sources. LEDs may beilluminated by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material.Depending on a technology used in a display and/or a frequency of use, adisplay may typically use approximately 30%-60% of a total powerconsumption of a mobile device. Sometimes a display may consume up tomore than 80% of a total power consumption of a mobile device if a userfrequently leaves a display illuminated. Therefore, due to high energyconsumption, a display is critical to conserving power. Although a usermay typically be able to lower a brightness of a display to reduce powerconsumption, lowering the brightness may not reduce power consumption asmuch as a user desires and may make reading difficult when a user is ina bright environment. Thus, a method to reduce energy consumption from adisplay without requiring a reduction in brightness is needed, andembodiments of the present invention seek to address limitations of theexisting technology.

Embodiments of the present invention may involve reducing energyconsumption of a display without requiring a reduction in brightness. Inparticular, a size of an illumination area of a display may becontrolled and portions of a display may be deactivated to reduce powerconsumption. Resizing an illumination area of a display may also reducea number of applications running, thereby reducing power consumption. Inan embodiment, an indication of an amount of operation time, batteryindicator, and/or energy available may be calculated and/or displayedbased at least in part on a dynamic resize of the display. In anembodiment, a first illumination area of a display may be resized to asecond illumination area and a portion of the first illumination areamay be disabled. For example, an image on an LED display may be shrunkand one or more LEDs may be disabled in a region outside of the firstillumination area. By disabling one or more LEDs on the display,electric energy may be conserved without requiring a reduction inbrightness of the display. In another embodiment, a first illuminationarea of a display may be resized to a second illumination area, aportion of the first illumination area may be disabled, and a brightnessof the second illumination area may be reduced. For example, an image onan LED display may be shrunk, one or more LEDs may be disabled in aregion outside of the first illumination area, and a brightness of oneor more LEDs within the second illumination area may be reduced. Bydisabling one or more LEDs on the display and reducing a brightness ofone or more LEDs on the display, electrical energy may be conservedsignificantly more than energy conservation from conventional methods.

Overall, embodiments of the invention may provide a new method to savepower on a mobile device by adjusting an illumination area of a display.Embodiments of the present invention enable a user to reduce a size ofan illumination area of a display. Other embodiments of the presentinvention may enable a computer to reduce a size of an illumination areaof a display when an event occurs, such as, for example, energy storagefalling below a threshold level. Since display illumination may consumea substantial amount of power, reducing a size of an illumination areaof a display may substantially reduce power consumption of a device.

Embodiments of the invention may involve a structure, method, system,and/or computer program product. For example, a structure may include aplurality of LED lights deploying multiple AAT3124 chips to control oneor more LED lights for lightening. Note that the numbers, LED layout,and zoom-out sizes may vary to meet different business and/or userneeds. LEDs may be grouped as needed, and each group may illuminate itspre-connected LGP to control an illumination area. In anotherembodiment, an operating system event may be triggered when an input isreceived on a power save button on a screen. For example, an algorithmmay determine a selected illumination area based on a user input andgenerate an appearance of a screen zoom in/out under a power savingmode. General purpose input/output (GPIO) flags may be set and signaledto one or more LED control chips to illuminate a selected area anddeactivate one or more LEDs outside of a selected area.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a functional block diagram illustrating ascreen adjustment system 100 is shown, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. In an embodiment, screen adjustment system 100 mayinclude an electronic device, display 110, illumination control chip106, and input device 108. Screen adjustment system 100 may furtherinclude one or more output devices, an input device 108, or any otherhardware-computing element—including combinations thereof.

The electronic device may be, for example, computing device 102.Computing device 102 may include hardware processing circuitry forexecuting software instructions and memory for storing those softwareinstructions. Computing device 102 may be a laptop computer, tabletcomputer, e-book reader, television, personal computer (PC), telephone,or any programmable electronic device. Computing device 102 may includeinternal and external hardware components, as depicted and described infurther detail with respect to FIG. 4. The computing device 102 mayinclude a display adjustment application 104. The display adjustmentapplication 104 may be a program, function, or module of a computerprogram executable by a processor of the computing device 102 or may beembodied as one or more connected computing systems. The displayadjustment application 104 may be implemented using a computing nodesuch as the cloud computing node of FIG. 4. Computing device 102 anddisplay 110 may be on a same or different device. For example, thecomputing device 102 and the computing device 102 may be a cloudcomputing device without the display 110. In another example, computingdevice 102 and display 110 may both be included in a laptop computer,tablet computer, e-book reader, television, personal computer (PC),telephone, or any programmable electronic device with a display.

Illumination control chip 106 may be a hardware component used tocontrol one or more lights. For example, illumination control chip 106may be a fractional charge pump, as described with reference to FIG. 3.Illumination control chip 106 may perform one or more functions, suchas, for example, control a current and/or voltage to one or more lights.In an embodiment, at least one illumination control chip 106 may be usedto control each illumination area, as described with reference to FIG.4.

Input device 108 may be any device capable of receiving information froma user 112 or a computer (e.g. computing device 102). For example, inputdevice 108 may be a touch screen, microphone, camera, button, keyboard,mouse, switch, or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, the inputdevice 108 may receive an input from the user 112 directing thecomputing device 102 to adjust an illumination area on the display 110.For example, the user 112 may select a power save button and swipe atouchscreen to reduce a size of an illumination area. In anotherembodiment, the input device 108 may receive an input from a computingdevice directing the computing device 102 to adjust an illumination areaon the display 110. For example, the display adjustment application 104may determine that energy storage will be exhausted before a task may beperformed and reduce a size of an illumination area to increase anavailable operating time before exhausting energy storage.

Display 110 may be any device capable of displaying one or more imageson an electronic screen. For example, display 110 may include a liquidcrystal display (LCD), light emitting diode (LED), organic LED (OLED),plasma, another type of display technology, or any combination ofdisplay technologies. Display 110 may include a screen with one or moreillumination areas. The one or more illumination areas may occupy aregion of the screen, or some portion of the screen. An illuminationarea may include visual information, such as, for example, a picture,text, virtual button, virtual keyboard, or other images. A size of anillumination area may be adjusted to conserve energy, as is discussedbelow with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C.

Referring now to FIG. 2A-2C, an energy consumption reduction environmentis shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.2A-2C illustrate an operation of computing device 102 (FIG. 1) inresizing an illumination area to conserve power. Computing device 102may display a first illumination area 220, a second illumination area230, and a third illumination area 240 on the display 110.

The first illumination area 220 may include the entire display 110 or aportion of the display 110. For example, the first illumination area 220may extend to an outer boundary of a display area 210. In an example,the second illumination area 230 may include a smaller area of thedisplay 110 than the first illumination area 220. In another example,the second illumination area 230 may include a larger area of thedisplay 110 than the first illumination area 220. The third illuminationarea 240 may include a smaller or larger area of the display 110 thanthe second illumination area 230. The first illumination area 220, thesecond illumination area 230, and the third illumination area 240 arenon-limiting examples of illumination areas of the display 110. In anexample, the display 110 may have thousands of illumination areas withincrements as small as a single pixel (e.g. an LED in an LED display).The first illumination area 220, the second illumination area 230, andthe third illumination area 240 may display a graphical user interfacefor computing device 102, media playback, application information, orany other type of displayable information, including combinationsthereof.

The computing device 102 may resize a first illumination area 220. Forexample, the computing device 102 may resize the first illumination area210 in response to a user input indicating parameters to which thedisplay should be resized. The user input may include indicating adesired illumination area size on a touch screen using a user's fingersor a stylus, entering illumination area parameters into a hardware orsoftware keyboard, vocally indicating illumination area parameters,transmitting parameters over a communication network, using preinstalledparameters, or any other method of transmitting parameters into acomputing device. In a particular example, a user may pinch the firstillumination area 210 to a desired illumination area size and/orlocation on display 110.

In some embodiments, computing device 102 may resize the firstillumination area 220 automatically upon a trigger condition. Thetrigger condition may include, for example, an energy level below athreshold, a change to energy saving mode, an indication by a user for adesired time of use for a device, loss of an energy supply, or anycombination thereof. For example, a battery life trigger may be set incomputing device 102 that triggers computing device 102 to resize thefirst illumination area 220 at a threshold level of battery life. Theillumination area may be resized to parameters already stored incomputing device 102 that were previously received from a user orelsewhere, or computing device 102 may prompt a user for resizingparameters upon activation of the trigger.

Thereafter, the computing device 110 may present a resized secondillumination area 230. The second illumination area 230 may be smallerthan the first illumination area 220. When the first illumination area220 is resized, a size and location of the second illumination area 230may be determined either from a received user input or as suggested bycomputing device 102. In some embodiments, display information (e.g. animage) presented in first illumination area 220 may be scaled to fit insecond illumination area 230. Alternatively, display information forapplications in use on computing device 102 may be reformatted to moreeffectively display application information in second illumination area230. In an embodiment, one or more displayed applications may displayless functionality in order to fit into second illumination area 230.For example, an application may be displayed as a standard program on alaptop computer in the first illumination area 220 and displayed as amobile application in the second illumination area 230. A displayedapplication and its functionality may be selected by a user ordetermined by computing device 102. For example, the computing device102 may determine that the second illumination area 230 is at or below athreshold size for a mobile application and automatically convert astandard application to its mobile equivalent. In an embodiment,execution of an application may be terminated either automatically bycomputing device 102 or at the request of a user. For example, when anapplication cannot be displayed within the second illumination area 230,the computing device 102 may close the application.

In another alternative, second illumination area 230 may display aportion of first illumination area 220. Second illumination area 230 maythen be moved around display 110 by a user in order for the user to viewother portions of first illumination area 220. In further embodiments,first illumination area 220 may display a larger format version of anapplication, such as a tablet computer version, and then secondillumination area 230 may display a smaller format version of the sameapplication, such as a smartphone version. In those embodiments, thesize of illumination areas 220 and 230 may be determined based onresolution requirements of the two different application formats.

In yet another example, computing device 102 may display selectedapplications in second illumination area 230. Before or after providingparameters for second illumination area 230, the user may select one ormore applications from a list of applications available/installed oncomputing device 102. A user may use various methods to select the oneor more applications. For example, the application selection may beperformed by selecting applications from a list, checking a check boxassociated with each application, long pressing an application and thendrag and drop the selected application in second illumination area 230,or any other way that a user can indicate a selection on a computingdevice. In some cases, the user may predefine a set of applications thatshould be used when computing device 102 is operating with a reducedillumination area. Once the applications are selected, computing device102 may automatically force closes, switches off, or otherwise endexecution of any unselected applications. The selected applications maythen be displayed in the second illumination area 230.

In a specific example, a user first selects second illumination area 230and then selects essential applications like a dial/number padapplication, a messaging application, and date/time application to beactive and displayed in second illumination area 230. All otherapplications, such as email, GPS, WiFi, or Data Packets exchanges, arethen force closed or prevented from further executing on computingdevice 102. Reducing the number of executing applications reduces theprocessing power required to execute those applications thereby furtherenhancing a remaining battery life.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a circuit diagram of electrical components of afractional charge pump 300 is shown, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. A fractional charge pump 300 or a plurality thereofmay be used to control one or more illumination areas on the display 110(FIG. 1). The fractional charge pump 300 may control an electricalcurrent available to one or more light generating devices, such as, forexample, an LED. The fractional charge pump 300 may be any fractionalcharge pump available in the art, such as, for example, a single chipAAT3124. The fractional charge pump 300 may be the illumination controlchip 106 (FIG. 1).

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4B, an illumination area control system 400and an illumination area control system 450 are shown, according to anembodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, one or moreportions of an illumination area may be controlled by one or morefractional charge pumps 300 (FIG. 3).

In liquid crystal displays (LCDs), a backlight may be used to illuminatea display. As an LCD screen may not produce light itself, backlightillumination may be needed to produce a visible image on an LCD display.Backlights may illuminate LCD displays from a side or back of an LCDscreen. A light guide plate (LGP) may be used in a backlight module. AnLGP may be designed to refract light emitted from a light source, suchas, for example, an LED. LEDs may be placed at edges of an LGP and lightrefracted from an LGP may have a uniform brightness. Thus, LCD displaysmay be illuminated by utilizing LEDs in combination with LGPs.

In an embodiment, a display may have only one LGP that is approximatelya same size as a display. For example, a cellular telephone device mayhave twenty LED lights placed at upper and lower edges of an LGP withonly a single chip AAT3124 controlling all LED lights. When a display isoperating, all twenty LED lights may be turned on to illuminate thewhole screen. In another embodiment, a cellular telephone device mayhave ten LED lights placed at upper and lower edges of an LGP, five LEDlights placed at a side of an LGP and five LED lights placed at anotherside of an LGP. One or more AAT3124 chips may be used to control one ormore LEDs to illuminate a whole or a part of a screen.

In another embodiment, a display may include one or more LGPs and one ormore fractional charge pumps 300. For example, the display 110 mayinclude one or more LGPs for each illumination area. In another example,the display 110 may include one or more fractional charge pump 300 foreach illumination area. In another example, each LGP may include one ormore LEDs controlled by an independent fractional charge pump 300. Byincluding an independent fractional charge pump 300 for each LGP, lightemitted from each LGP may be controlled independently. In anotherexample, one or more LGPs within an illumination area may share afractional charge pump 300. By using a fractional charge pump 300 tocontrol LEDs for one or more LGPs within an illumination area, a wholeor a portion of an illumination area may be controlled by a singlefractional charge pump 300.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A, a display may include nineLGPs. Each LGP may include one or more LEDs. In an embodiment, each LEDmay be located behind or at a side of each LGP where each LED may onlyprovide illumination for one LGP. The nine LGPs may be used to generatethree illumination areas. LGP 420, LGP 422, LGP 424, LGP 426, LGP 428,LGP 430, LGP 432, LGP 434, and LGP 440 may be used for a firstillumination area 220 (FIG. 2A). LGP 430, LGP 432, LGP 434, and LGP 440may be used for a second illumination area 230 (FIG. 2A). LGP 440 may beused for a third illumination area 240 (FIG. 2A). In an embodiment,three fractional charge pumps 300 may be used, each controlling a set ofLEDs associated with an illumination area. For example, a first AAT3124chip may control LEDs within a first illumination area 220, a secondAAT3124 chip may control LEDs within a second illumination area 230, anda third AAT3124 chip may control LEDs within a third illumination area240.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4B, a display may include threeLGPs. Each LGP may include one or more LEDs. In an embodiment, each LEDmay be located behind or at a side of each LGP where each LED may onlyprovide illumination for one LGP. The three LGPs may be used to generatethree illumination areas. LGP 460, LGP 470, and LGP 480 may be used fora first illumination area 220 (FIG. 2A). LGP 470 and LGP 480 may be usedfor the second illumination area 230 (FIG. 2A). LGP 480 may be used forthe third illumination area 240 (FIG. 2A). In an embodiment, threefractional charge pumps 300 may be used, each controlling a set of LEDsassociated with an illumination area. For example, a first AAT3124 chipmay control LEDs within a first illumination area 220, a second AAT3124chip may control LEDs within a second illumination area 230, and a thirdAAT3124 chip may control LEDs within a third illumination area 240.

Embodiments involving an LED display with various numbers ofillumination control chips 106 (FIG. 1) controlling various numbers ofLEDs are contemplated. In another embodiment, an LED display may have anindividual LED illuminating each pixel and the illumination control chip106 controlling each LED individually. Controlling each LED with anindependent illuminated control chip 106 may offer substantialflexibility and fluidity in changing a size of an illumination areaand/or moving an illumination area to another location on a display. Inyet another embodiment, an LED display may have an individual LEDilluminating each pixel and the illumination control chip 106controlling a group of LEDs. For example, the illumination control chip106 may control all or a portion of LEDs within an illumination area,such as, for example, the first illumination area 220 (FIG. 2A-C).

The foregoing are non-limiting example of an illumination area controlsystem. Additional embodiments with various numbers of lights,illumination areas, and illumination control chips 106 are contemplated.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a flowchart of a method 500 of reducing energyconsumption of a display is shown, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. Steps of method 500 may be executed using a processorof a computer that encompasses, or is part of, screen adjustment system100, or another system. In an embodiment, the method 500 of reducingenergy consumption of a display may involve a step 501 of enabling afirst illumination area, a decision 502 of whether a power save input isreceived, a decision 504 of whether an area resize input is received, astep 506 of determining dimensions of a first illumination area, a step508 of selecting a second illumination area with nearest proportionaldimensions, a step 510 of disabling a portion of the first illuminationarea not included in the first illumination area, a step 511 of enablinga portion of the second illumination area not included in the firstillumination area, and a step 512 of displaying one or more images in asecond illumination area.

The step 501 may involve enabling a first illuminated area of a display.In an embodiment, enabling a first illuminated area of a display mayinclude transmitting an electric current to one or more light emittingdevices within the first illuminated area of the display. For example,in an LED display, an electric current may be transmitted to each LEDmaking up each pixel of the first illuminated area of the display. Inanother example, in an LCD display, an electric current may betransmitted to one or more groups of LEDs within one or more LGPs withinthe first illuminated area.

The decision 502 may involve determining whether a power save input isreceived. In an embodiment, a user may cause a power save input. Forexample, a user may touch a power save button on the display 110(FIG. 1) which may trigger a device to enter a power saving mode. Inanother embodiment, a computer may cause a power save input. Forexample, the display adjustment application 104 may direct the computingdevice 102 to trigger a device to enter power saving mode when a energystorage for the display 110 drops below a threshold. A threshold may be,for example, a percentage of energy storage, a time of operationremaining without recharging, or a combination thereof. For example, thedisplay adjustment application 104 (FIG. 1) may cause a power save inputwhen a percentage of energy storage drops below, for example, 100%, 50%,25%, 10%, 0.0001%, and percentages therebetween. In another example, thedisplay adjustment application 104 may cause a power save input when atime of operating remaining without recharging drops below, for example,3 hours, 1 hour, 30 minutes, 5 minutes, or times therebetween. In anembodiment, the power save input alone may cause the display adjustmentapplication to change a first illumination area to a second illuminationarea. In another example, the display adjustment application 104 maydirect the computing device 102 to cause the display 110 to change asize of an illumination area based on an energy consumption threshold.An energy consumption threshold may range vary based on a type ofconsuming device or a type of energy source. In another embodiment, thepower save input may begin a time period for performance of anadditional input which may cause the display adjustment application tochange a first illumination area to a second illumination area. A timeperiod to perform an additional input may be, for example, days,nanoseconds, and time periods therebetween. An example of an additionalinput a user may perform to cause the display adjustment application tochange a first illumination area to a second illumination area isdiscussed below with reference to the decision 504.

The decision 504 may involve determining whether an area resize input isreceived. In an embodiment, an area resize input may only trigger aresize of an illumination area if received after a power save input andduring a time period for a user to perform an additional input. Forexample, a user may cause a power save input and without one minutecause an area resize input which may cause a resize of an illuminationarea on the display 110. In another embodiment, an area resize input maytrigger a resize of an illumination area without requiring an additionalinput. For example, a user may drag a finger across a bottom rightcorner of the display 110 to increase or decrease a size of anillumination area. In another example, a user may move two fingerscloser or further apart from one another to increase or decrease a sizeof an illumination area. In another example, a user may select a button,such as, for example, “full screen” or “half screen” to increase ordecrease a size of an illumination area. In another example, a user mayuser may say a command, such as, for example, “full screen” or “halfscreen” to increase or decrease a size of an illumination area. In anembodiment, a computer may provide an area resize input. For example,the display adjustment application 104 may direct the computing device102 to cause the display 110 to change a size of an illumination areabased on an energy storage capacity available to the display 110. Inanother example, the display adjustment application 104 may direct thecomputing device 102 to cause the display 110 to change a size of anillumination area based on a time of operation remaining withoutrecharging. In another example, the display adjustment application 104may direct the computing device 102 to cause the display 110 to change asize of an illumination area based on an energy consumption threshold.

The step 506 may involve determining dimensions of a first illuminationarea. In an embodiment, a computer may communicate with the display 110to determine dimensions of a first illumination area. For example, thecomputing device 102 may receive dimension information from a displaydriver of the display 110. In another example, the computing device 102may retrieve dimension information stored within a computer readablestorage medium. Dimension information may include, for example, a sizeof a display, a size and/or location of an illumination area, a sizeand/or location of one or more application icons, a size and/or locationof one or more virtual buttons, a size and/or location of one or moreopen applications, or any combination thereof. Dimension information ofa first illumination area may be used to select a second illuminationarea, as is discussed below with reference to the step 508.

The step 508 may involve selecting a second illumination area with nearproportional dimensions. In an embodiment, the display adjustmentapplication 104 may select a second illumination area with nearproportional dimensions. For example, a height and width of a firstillumination area may be nearly or exactly proportional with a heightand width of a second illumination area. In another example, a heightand width of one or more applications generated in a first illuminationarea may be nearly or exactly proportional with a height and width ofone or more applications generated in a second illumination area.

The step 510 and the step 511 may involve enabling or disabling aportion of an illuminated area. The step 510 may involve disabling aportion of the first illumination area not included in the secondillumination area. For example, when the first illumination area islarger than the second illumination area, the step 510 may be performed.The step 511 may involve enabling a portion of the second illuminationarea not included in the first illumination area. For example, when thefirst illumination area is smaller than the second illumination area,the step 511 may be performed. In another example, the step 510 and thestep 511 may both be performed when the first illumination area and thesecond illumination area are in a different orientation, when a locationof the first illumination area and the second illumination area areadifferent, or a combination thereof. Disabling may be performed by, forexample, transmitting one or more general purpose input/output (GPIO)flags to power on or off a chip or light. A GPIO flag may be a Booleanvalue indicating, for example, that a chip is powered on, a chip ispowered off, a specific light on a chip, or any combination thereof. Inan embodiment, the display adjustment application 104 may transmit oneor more GPIO flags to one or more corresponding AAT3124 chips. The oneor more GPIO flags may direct one or more fractional charge pump 300(FIG. 3) to turn on or off one or more lights in order to change a firstillumination area to a second illumination area.

The step 512 may involve displaying one or more images in a secondillumination area. In an embodiment, one or more images in a secondillumination area may be in a same position, rearranged, or hidden. Forexample, an application icon previously visible in a first illuminationarea may not be visible in second illumination area. In another example,an application icon may be moved to a new location on the display 110 orin relation to one or more other application icons. In an embodiment,one or more images in a second illumination area may be revealed bymoving a location of a second illumination area. For example, a user mayuse a finger to scroll over one or more disabled areas to view one ormore hidden applications. In another example, a user may user a fingerto move a second illuminate area to a new location to reveal one or morehidden applications. In another embodiment, all images visible in afirst illumination area may be visible in a second illumination area.For example, one or more application icons may be resized so that theone or more application icons may fit in a second illumination area. Inanother example, one or more running applications, such as, for example,a word processor, may be resized to fit within a second illuminationarea.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a schematic of an example of a computing nodeis shown. Computing node 10 is only one example of a suitable computingnode and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope ofuse or functionality of embodiments of the invention described herein.Regardless, computing node 10 is capable of being implemented and/orperforming any of the functionality set forth hereinabove.

In computing node 10 there is a computer system/server 12, which isoperational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributed cloudcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be locatedin both local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

As shown in FIG. 6, computer system/server 12 in computing node 10 isshown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The componentsof computer system/server 12 may include, but are not limited to, one ormore processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28, and a bus 18that couples various system components including system memory 28 toprocessor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the invention.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, the display 110, etc.;one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computersystem/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output(I/O) interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 cancommunicate with one or more networks such as a local area network(LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g.,the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20communicates with the other components of computer system/server 12 viabus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardwareand/or software components could be used in conjunction with computersystem/server 12. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

Embodiments of the present invention may be a system, a method, and/or acomputer program product. The computer program product may include acomputer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readableprogram instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry outaspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The programs described herein are identified based upon the applicationfor which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of theinvention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular programnomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus theinvention should not be limited to use solely in any specificapplication identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

Based on the foregoing, a computer system, method, and computer programproduct have been disclosed. However, numerous modifications andsubstitutions can be made without deviating from the scope of thepresent invention. Therefore, the present invention has been disclosedby way of example and not limitation. The descriptions of the variousembodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes ofillustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to theembodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology usedherein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiment, thepractical application or technical improvement over technologies foundin the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art tounderstand the embodiments disclosed herein.

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A computer program product for reducing energyconsumption by a display of an electronic device, the computer programproduct comprising a computer readable storage medium having programinstructions embodied therewith, wherein the computer readable storagemedium is not a transitory signal per se, the program instructionsexecutable by a processor to cause a computer to perform a methodcomprising: enabling, by a computer, a first illumination area of adisplay, the display comprising a first illumination control chipcontrolling a first set of light emitting devices in at least a portionof the first illumination area, and a second illumination control chipcontrolling a second set of light emitting devices in at least a portionof the second illumination area; receiving, by a computer, an input toadjust a second illumination area of the display, wherein adjustingcomprises performing one or both of the following: disabling, by acomputer, a portion of the first illumination area not included in thesecond illumination area; and enabling, by a computer, a portion of thesecond illumination area not included in the first illumination area.11. The computer program product of claim 10, further comprisingdisplaying an image on one or more of: the first illumination area onthe display; and the second illumination area on the display.
 12. Thecomputer program product of claim 10, wherein the display comprises: afirst set of one or more light emitting diodes in the first illuminationarea; and a second set of one or more light emitting diodes in thesecond illumination area.
 13. (canceled)
 14. The computer programproduct of claim 10, wherein receiving the input to adjust the firstillumination area comprises: receiving an input via a user inputindicating a size of the second illumination area on the display. 15.The computer program product of claim 10, wherein receiving the input toadjust the first illumination area comprises: receiving an input via auser input indicating a location of the second illumination area on thedisplay.
 16. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein receivingthe input to adjust the first illumination area comprises: receiving aninput from a display adjustment application when energy storage dropsbelow a threshold.
 17. An electronic device, comprising: a displayconfigured to display a first illumination area and a secondillumination area the display comprising a first illumination controlchip controlling a first set of light emitting devices in at least aportion of the first illumination area, and a second illuminationcontrol chip controlling a second set of light emitting devices in atleast a portion of the second illumination area; one or more computerprocessors; one or more computer-readable storage media; programinstructions stored on a computer-readable storage media for executionby at least one of the one or more processors, the program instructionscomprising: instructions to enable the first illumination area of thedisplay; instructions to receive an input to adjust the secondillumination area of the display, wherein adjusting comprises performingone or both of the following: disabling a portion of the firstillumination area not included in the second illumination area; andenabling a portion of the second illumination area not included in thefirst illumination area.
 18. (canceled)
 19. The electronic device ofclaim 17, wherein the instructions to receive the input to adjust thefirst illumination area comprises one or more of: instructions toreceive an input from a display adjustment application when energystorage drops below a threshold; and instructions to receive a userinput selecting the second illumination area on the display.
 20. Theelectronic device of claim 17, wherein the program instructions compriseinstructions to scale an image to fit the second illumination area,wherein prior to the scaling, the image is sized to fit the firstillumination area.
 21. An electronic display device, comprising: adisplay element, wherein the display element comprises: a first set of aplurality of light emitting devices configured to illuminate a firstlight guide plate; and a second set of a plurality of light emittingdevices configured to illuminate a second light guide plate. a pluralityof light emitting devices configured to illuminate at least a portion ofthe display element, wherein the plurality of light emitting devices arecontrolled by one or more illumination control chips; one or morecomputer processors; one or more computer-readable storage media;program instructions stored on the computer-readable storage media forexecution by at least one of the one or more processors, the programinstructions comprising instructions to: activate a first set of theplurality of light emitting devices, by at least one illuminationcontrol chip, to display an image on a first illumination area of thedisplay element; receive an input to adjust a second illumination areaof the display, wherein adjusting comprises performing one or both ofthe following: disabling, by at least one illumination control chip,light emitting devices in the first set within the first illuminationarea; and enabling, by at least one illumination control chip, lightemitting devices within the second illumination area.
 22. The device ofclaim 21, wherein the plurality of light emitting devices comprise oneor more of: light emitting diodes; and fluorescent lamps.
 23. (canceled)24. The device of claim 21, wherein the display element comprises: oneor more light guide plates in the first illumination area; and one ormore light guide plates in the second illumination area.
 25. The deviceof claim 21, wherein the plurality of light emitting devices is an arrayof light emitting diodes, wherein each light emitting diode represents apixel.